Retail News CRM

Category: Food

Retail News Asia is committed to providing both local and global retailers with the latest Food and Food & Beverage news throughout the Asian market. This on a daily base.

  • Korea’s Goobne Chicken enters Malaysian market

    Korea’s Goobne Chicken enters Malaysian market

    South Korean fast-food chain Goobne Chicken has expanded into Malaysia, opening its first outlet in My Town Shopping Center.

    The brand plans to test the market under a franchise agreement with a local partner and has chosen its first location at one of the city’s largest shopping malls, housing more than 400 retail and dining options.

    Located on the fourth floor, the 115sqm store can seat 64.

    “Our employees in overseas management, product development and marketing departments have performed a thorough market study for the Malaysian entry,” said a Goobne Chicken spokesperson.

    “We plan to win over Malaysian consumers with our locally-tailored menu and marketing campaign.”

    Goobne operates 12 outlets overseas, including in Hong Kong, Macao, Japan and Indonesia.

    The company says it will open its first Vietnam restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City in November.

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  • NTUC Enterprise acquires Kopitiam

    NTUC Enterprise acquires Kopitiam

    Singapore’s renowned Kopitiam food centres have been bought by NTUC Enterprise Co-operative to protect the chain from commercial investors.

    In a press release announcing the deal, NTUC Enterprise said by investing an undisclosed sum in acquiring the business it could satisfy its social mission of ensuring cooked food remained affordable and accessible to Singaporeans.

    After the deal is settled, expected to be later this year, the Kopitiam outlets would complement NTUC Enterprises’ existing Foodfare food centres, operated independently by their own management teams.

    However the two businesses would look to sharing technology knowhow and resources and other behind-the-scenes processes.

    Kopitiam was founded 30 years ago and has now grown to 56 foodcourts, 21 coffee shops and three hawker centres across the island, serving some 350,000 meals each day and employing more than 1000 people.

    “Kopitiam and NTUC Foodfare share the common objective of making quality cooked food affordable and accessible to all,” Kee Teck Koon, executive director at NTUC Enterprise, said in a statement.

    “We will leverage our combined strengths to contribute to improving the vibrancy and resiliency of this daily essential sector in Singapore, with the ultimate goal of creating better experiences for our customers, and opportunities for our employees and other stakeholders.”

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  • Camus Cognac appoints new Asia Key Account Director

    Camus Cognac appoints new Asia Key Account Director

    From tobacco to cognac, Rex Zhu Hao has recently been appointed Key Account Duty Free Sales Director of the family-owned Cognac house Camus.

    Backed by 12 years of experience in the tobacco business and travel retail in the Greater China market, managing Asia duty free for Dannemann Cigars, Rex will be in charge of further expanding Camus’ well-established business in Asia travel retail from the Asia Pacific regional office of Camus La Grande Marque in Hong Kong.

    Anne Blois, Global Sales and Marketing Director, Camus commented: “As sales in duty free continue growing for all our key brands Camus, Moutai and Loudenne we are convinced that Rex Zhu Hao’s solid background in travel retail and deep knowledge of our markets will be a great asset to our group and we wish him every success in his new challenge.”

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  • Dunkin’ Donuts reveals new brand identity

    Dunkin’ Donuts reveals new brand identity

    Dunkin’ Donuts has been on a first-name basis with its fans long before the introduction of its iconic tagline, America Runs on Dunkin’, with customers around the world naturally and affectionately referring to the brand as Dunkin’. In recognition of this relationship, and as one of many steps to transform itself into the premier beverage-led, on-the-go brand, the company has unveiled its new branding at its Global Franchisee Convention that officially recognizes its name as simply Dunkin’. The change will officially take place in January 2019.

    The new branding conveys the company’s focus on serving great coffee fast, while embracing Dunkin’s heritage by retaining its familiar pink and orange colors and iconic font, introduced in 1973. Beginning the first of the year, the new branding will appear on packaging, as well as the company’s advertising, website and social channels. Going forward, the new Dunkin’ logo will also be featured on exterior and interior signage on all new and remodeled stores in the U.S. and, eventually, internationally. The brand tested the new logo extensively, including on exterior signage at Dunkin’ locations featuring its next generation design concept over the past year.

    According to Dunkin’ Brands’ CEO and Dunkin’ U.S. President David Hoffmann, “Our new branding is one of many things we are doing as part of our blueprint for growth to modernize the Dunkin’ experience for our customers. From our next generation restaurants, to our menu innovation, on-the-go ordering and value offerings, all delivered at the speed of Dunkin’, we are working to provide our guests with great beverages, delicious food and unparalleled convenience. We believe our efforts to transform Dunkin’, while still embracing our incredible heritage, will keep our brand relevant for generations to come.”

    “By simplifying and modernizing our name, while still paying homage to our heritage, we have an opportunity to create an incredible new energy for Dunkin’, both in and outside our stores,” said Tony Weisman, Chief Marketing Officer, Dunkin’ U.S. “We are bringing the iconic name Dunkin’ to the forefront in a bold way that brings to life how we refill optimism with each cup and bring fun, joy and delight to our customers each and every day.”

    Brand Refresh part of the Dunkin’ Blueprint for Growth

    The new branding, developed in partnership with new creative and branding agencies Jones Knowles Ritchie (JKR), BBDO New York and Arc Worldwide, is one part of Dunkin’s multi-faceted blueprint for growth, a plan designed to transform the company into the premier beverage-led, on-the-go brand. Recent initiatives have included a simplified menu, a greater emphasis on beverages like Cold Brew Coffee, Nitro Coffee and Iced Teas, the introduction of unique products like Donut Fries, an increasing emphasis on On-the-Go Mobile Ordering, and most importantly, the introduction of Dunkin’s next generation design concept.

    Specifically designed to meet the needs and demands of today’s on-the-go consumer, the next generation store design offers new and innovative elements to make running on Dunkin’ faster and more convenient than ever before. The key in-store elements include an eight-headed tap system for cold beverages encouraging crew members to serve guests like bartenders, a glass bakery case putting donuts in the forefront within arm’s reach of guests, and more prominent and engaging mobile-order pick up areas, as well as the first-ever mobile order drive-thru lane to allow mobile users to speed past the line.

    Dunkin’ to Remain Sweet on Donuts

    Although the word ‘donuts’ will no longer appear in the logo or branding, donuts will remain a significant focus for the brand. As the #1 retailer of donuts in America, selling more than 2.9 billion donuts and MUNCHKINS® donut hole treats annually worldwide, each Dunkin’ restaurant is required to make the most popular donuts available every day, along with local favorites, so that guests know they will be able to find the top-selling donuts and fun seasonal varieties no matter which Dunkin’ location they visit.

    Earlier this season Dunkin’ brought back its popular Pumpkin Donut and MUNCHKINS® donut hole treats for a sweet taste of fall. The brand will be revealing this year’s lineup of Halloween-themed donut varieties early next month.

    From Open Kettle to Dunkin’

    The story of Dunkin’ began in 1948 with a donut and coffee restaurant in Quincy, Massachusetts called ‘Open Kettle’. Founder William Rosenberg served donuts for five cents and premium cups of coffee for ten cents. After a brainstorming session with his executives, Rosenberg renamed his restaurant “Dunkin’ Donuts” in 1950. His goal was to “make and serve the freshest, most delicious coffee and donuts quickly and courteously in modern, well-merchandised stores,” a philosophy which still holds true today. In 1955, the first Dunkin’ Donuts franchise opened, and, in just 10 years, the number of restaurants had grown to over 100 shops. Since 1950, the number of Dunkin’ restaurants has increased to more than 12,600 restaurants worldwide in 46 countries.

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  • Ogilvy picks up creative work for Pizza Hut Hong Kong as brand targets millennials

    Ogilvy picks up creative work for Pizza Hut Hong Kong as brand targets millennials

    Ogilvy will be tasked with raising the profile of Pizza Hut among millennials after being appointed creative agency of record for the brand in Hong Kong.

    The agency was selected following a competitive pitch. Havas was the incumbent.

    Ogilvy & Mather also won the creative work for Pizza Hut in Singapore at the start of the year, releasing its first work in May. The agency also works with Pizza Hut parent Yum! across several markets in Asia.

    Ogilvy will deliver Pizza Hut’s integrated marketing strategy including creative, brand building and campaign execution with the agency tasked with raising the profile of the brand among millennials while “maintaining its strong heritage in the family segment”.

    In a statement, Pizza Hut Hong Kong marketing director Wendy Leung said: “Our decision to partner with Ogilvy was based on their proven track record of delivering innovative work that resonates with the local market.

    “As we look to elevate the Pizza Hut brand amongst millennials in Hong Kong, it was critical that we chose an agency whose work is grounded in strong, local consumer insights”.

    Ogilvy Hong Kong executive creative John Koay added: “Everyone in Hong Kong grew up with Pizza Hut. We are thrilled Ogilvy can partner with this iconic brand to create effective and famous work that will drive their business forward and connect with Hong Kong people”.

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  • Jollibee UK launches soon

    Jollibee UK launches soon

    Philippine fast-food chain Jollibee has hinted at opening its first store in the United Kingdom.

    The potential of a Jollibee UK debut was revealed in a tweet featuring a photo of its mascot bee with British Ambassador to the Philippines Daniel Pruce, hashtagged #JollibeeLondon and #1stJollibeeInUK.

    The ambassador had previously said Jollibee would open in Britain this year in a TV interview, during which he professed his love for the brand’s fried chicken.

    The opening will expand Jollibee’s footprint in Europe, which was initiated in March this year with the opening of a store in Milan. It has previously targeted mainly Filipino communities in the US, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

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  • JD to expand 7Fresh grocery chain across China mainland

    JD to expand 7Fresh grocery chain across China mainland

    JD is expanding its 7Fresh grocery store chain across Mainland China.

    The e-commerce and tech company has signed agreements with 16 real estate companies including China Poly Group, Joy City, Vanke, Yuexiu Property and Greenland Holdings to expand the supermarket chain, which was launched earlier this year.

    Consumers in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Chengdu will be next in line to experience the e-commerce platform’s premium offline stores focused on fresh food. Fresh produce makes up more than 70 per cent of the brand’s offerings.

    Twenty per cent of 7Fresh products are directly sourced from vetted overseas suppliers in response to Chinese shoppers’ increasing focus on food safety and sourcing. All leafy green produce is restocked within 24 hours, and selected produce can be cooked on site.

    CEO of 7Fresh Xiaosong Wang said 7Fresh redefines the offline retail experience by combining the best parts of fresh grocery markets and top-quality restaurants with cutting edge e-commerce technology.

    “With the expansion of 7Fresh into more cities across China, we are bringing ‘Boundaryless Retail’ to even more shoppers for an incredibly convenient and enjoyable way to buy fresher, safer and more reliable products.”

    JD’s own advanced technologies are central to the rollout of the 7Fresh brand. Through the building of customer profiles, JD can determine optimum store locations and layouts. Data analysis also helps improve inventory management by selecting the most appropriate amounts and types of SKUs from JD’s vast selection of goods, according to each store’s unique needs. Meanwhile, ‘Magic Mirrors’ automatically provide product information on a screen when they sense that customers have picked up fresh produce.

    JD’s logistics capabilities enable 30-minute delivery from the stores for online shoppers.

    Korean office

    Meanwhile JD is expanding its international footprint with a new office in the centre of Seoul’s CBD. The office will help JD with outreach to South Korean brands that are highly sought-after in China. It will significantly increase the company’s procurement power in the region, reducing the threshold for Korean brands to enter the Chinese market and tapping JD’s more than 300 million customers.

  • KFC Malaysia plans expansion

    KFC Malaysia plans expansion

    KFC Malaysia is considering expansion in Bandar Sri Sendayan, Malaysia, following the launch of the township’s first outlet this month.

    Opened in collaboration with Matrix Concepts Holdings Bhd, the initial response to the launch of the globally popular brand has been encouraging.

    Datuk Seri Mohamed Azahari Kamil, MD of local franchisee QSR Brands (M) Holdings, said: “We believe the demand is high here based on the increasing number of population in the township.”

    The outlet and drive-thru in Bandar Sri Sendayan is the brand’s 700th outlet nationwide and the 21st out of 23 targeted for the region this year. The 24-hour venue can accommodate 170 customers at one time.

    QSR brands is considering four further outlets for Bandar Sri Sendayan, the population of which is expected to reach 120,000 people in the foreseeable future.

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  • 4FINGERS buys 50% stake in Australia’s Mad Mex

    4FINGERS buys 50% stake in Australia’s Mad Mex

    Singapore casual dining brand 4Fingers has acquired a 50 per cent stake in Australian Mexican QSR brand Mad Mex Fresh Mexican Grill.

    The move is reportedly a first step into a scalable, quality F&B portfolio ready for international expansion. Mad Mex is considered a reputable brand in Australia and New Zealand for its authentic Mexican menu with fresh, healthy ingredients.

    4Fingers plans to initially build the brand in Southeast Asia, beginning with Singapore and Malaysian outlets within the next year.

    Mad Mex’s founder Clovis Young will retain his position as CEO of the brand along with his 50 per cent shareholding.

    The acquisition comes after Mad Mex invited investment earlier this year after posting consistently strong earnings. The chain has achieved more than 4 per cent like-for-like sales growth over the past two quarters, a sharp contrast to the broader Australian food and beverage marketplace, which is facing structural challenges.

    The deal is projected to see the two groups’ combined revenue reach in excess of S$120 million for the 2019 financial year.

    Young said the brand was excited to be partnering with a renowned global brand that aligned with Mad Mex’s firm focus on the customer service and quality.

    “I started Mad Mex in 2006, because I absolutely love Mexican food. But there is a lot of Mexican food out there, and to be honest it’s mostly mediocre,” Young said.

    “I wanted my customers to get a fast meal, but with homemade quality, made entirely of real ingredients, with the fewest preservatives, oils, and sugars possible. You should never have to choose between a quick meal and quality healthy food”.

    Vijay Sethu, director of 4Fingers, said the acquisition of Mad Mex marked a significant milestone in the group’s growth strategy.

    “We are very excited with our investment in Mad Mex and look forward to working with Clovis to further grow this business in Australia and New Zealand and to rollout the Mad Mex brand in Asia.”

  • SK buys 9.5% stake in Vietnam’s Masan Group

    SK buys 9.5% stake in Vietnam’s Masan Group

    SK Group will acquire a 9.5 percent stake in Vietnamese food and beverage company Masan Group to become its largest foreign shareholder.

    The Korean conglomerate announced Wednesday that it has agreed to acquire the stake at $470 million. The two companies will jointly look for business opportunities in Vietnam through strategic investments.

    Masan Group is at the top of the Vietnamese food and beverage market. Its business portfolio expands into finance, animal breeding and mineral mining. Its yearly revenue posted 1.9 trillion won ($1.7 billion) last year.

    “The latest investment is meaningful in a way that it is part of the group’s effort to secure new business opportunity in the global markets just like Chairman Chey Tae-won emphasized in his New Year speech early this year,” said Lee Hang-soo, head of the group’s PR team in a statement Wednesday.

    “SK Group and Masan Group will cooperate to develop new businesses in Vietnam as well as elsewhere in the Southeast Asia region,” he added.

    SK Group has been showing keen interest in fortifying its global business over the past few years.

    SK has been looking for business opportunities in the United States, China and Southeast Asia. The group had established a new investment arm in Singapore based on joint investment from its five subsidiaries.

  • India rice prices recover; low Thai rates dampen Vietnamese offers

    India rice prices recover; low Thai rates dampen Vietnamese offers

    Rice export prices in India recovered this week after demand improved, while rates for the Vietnamese variety eased.

    Rates for top exporter India’s 5 percent broken parboiled variety edged up by $2 per ton to $373-$377 per ton this week, from their lowest in 17 months last week.

    “Enquiries from African buyers have risen in the last few days,” said an exporter based at Kakinada in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh.

    Another exporter, based in Mumbai, said Indian rice was currently competitive due to rupee depreciation.

    The Indian rupee has lost more than 13 percent of its value so far in 2018, and plunged to a record low earlier this week, increasing exporters margins.

    Meanwhile, in neighbouring Bangladesh, rice output from the summer-sown crop ‘Boro’ hit 19.5 million tonnes, exceeding the target of 19 million tonnes, as farmers raised acreage to cash in on higher prices, data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics showed.

    Last year, the country’s Boro rice crop, which accounts for more than half of the country’s typical annual rice production, fell to its lowest in seven years after floods destroyed crops.

    In Vietnam, traders offered benchmark 5 percent broken rice at $395-$405 a ton, slightly lower than last week’s $400-$405 range.

    Despite potential demand from the Philippines in the aftermath of Typhoon Mangkhut, which damaged paddy in the country, prices for the Vietnamese variety did not go up since Thai rates were lower.

    “If we increase prices further, people will just go and buy Thai rice,” a Ho Chi Minh City-based trader said.

    The south-Asian country, which has already completed the harvest of its two major crops, exported 4.5 million tons of rice in the first eight months, meeting around 70 percent of the whole-year projection of 6.5 million tons set out by the government.

    A trader estimated Vietnam’s current autumn-winter mini crop could yield around 1.8 million tons, half the volume of a major crop, with most of the rice likely to be kept for domestic consumption given the next harvest will not be until March 2019.

    In Thailand, benchmark 5 percent broken rice prices were quoted at $390-$393 per ton, free on board (FOB) Bangkok, unchanged from last week.

    While demand was flat, it would pick up in the near future due to natural disasters in the region, especially in the Philippines and Indonesia, traders said.

  • Swiggy India expands services in 8 new cities

    Swiggy India expands services in 8 new cities

    The new cities are Dehradun, Puducherry, Mysore, Vijayawada, Nashik, Guwahati, Kanpur and Ludhiana, Swiggy said in a statement.

    The company has partnered with over 1,200 restaurants in these cities, it added.

    Commenting on the development, Swiggy COO Vivek Sunder said, “Expanding to these eight new markets is very important to us”.

    Over the years, Swiggy has played an instrumental role in making food ordering and delivery more accessible, reliable and convenient for consumers across the country, he added. Founded in 2014, Swiggy is an online platform with over 40,000 restaurant partners spread across 27 cities.

  • Morrisons seals supply deal with Big C

    Morrisons seals supply deal with Big C

    UK supermarkets group Morrisons has secured a supply partnership with Thai grocery chain Big C.

    The firm will be sending 100 branded products to feature on Big C shelves in what represents a major international partner for Morrison’s, which otherwise has a minor presence in Gibraltar and the Channel Islands. The company also previously supplied its own-label products to a Hong Kong e-commerce platform British Essentials.

    Morrison’s CEO David Potts has stated the company is not currently pursuing an international strategy – the partnership with Big C is the result of unexpectedly fast growth in the company’s wholesale business.

    Morrison’s revenues increased 4.5 per cent over the past half year compared to the same period last year. While same-store retail figures grew 2.1 per cent, its wholesale business grew 2.8 per cent.

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  • Kit Kat Bar opens in Tokyo, serves new Japanese Umeshu Plum Sake Kit Kats

    Kit Kat Bar opens in Tokyo, serves new Japanese Umeshu Plum Sake Kit Kats

    Nestle has opened a pop-up bar in Tokyo to mark today’s release of its new sake-flavoured Kit Kat bar.

    “Craft Sake Week @Kit Kat Bar” has been offering visitors a preview of the new Umeshu Plum Sake-flavoured chocolate bar paired with cocktails. The space is overseen by former soccer star Hidetoshi Nakata, now known for his work with more than 350 local sake breweries designing products to promote their rice wines both nationally and globally.

    Two Ume Sake Kit Kat and cocktail pairings served in Milano glasses are the highlight of the pop-up. The cocktails, created by noted craft cocktail designers to complement the flavours of the new Kit Kat, are exclusive to the bar.

    The pop-up, which runs to September 24, features other products both collaborated on and curated by Nakata to convey the beauty of traditional Japanese sake crafts, as well as a sake-tasting area.

    Nestle released it first premium sake flavoured Kit Kat last year.

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  • NeNe Chicken opens second store at The Starling Mall Malaysia

    NeNe Chicken opens second store at The Starling Mall Malaysia

    South Korean fried chicken chain NeNe Chicken has launched in East Malaysia.

    The brand’s fourth Malaysian restaurant opened at urban hub Plaza Merdeka Shopping Mall, featuring its offering of Korean-style fried chicken with a selection of sauces and marinades, along with some adaptations for the local palate.

    NeNe Chicken Malaysia MD Raymond Wong said: “Since the opening of our doors in our soft launch, we are amazed with the reception that has been given and we are putting in the hard work to keep the momentum going.”

    NeNe Chicken operates more than 1200 restaurants worldwide.

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